Partido Auténtico

The Partido Auténtico (also known as the Cuban Revolutionary Party-Auténtico or PRC-A) was a political party in Cuba most active between 1933 to 1952. Although the Partido Auténtico had significant influence during this period, they eventually became unpopular and, despite significant reforms, their administrations led to Fulgencio Batista's return to power.

History

The Partido Auténtico had its origins in the nationalist and anti-liberal revolution of 1933. It was constituted on February 1934 by many of the same individuals that had brought about the downfall of Gerardo Machado in the previous year to defend the changes that the Revolution of 1933 had brought about.^[1]

In the Constitutional Assembly elections in 1939 the party was part of the victorious Opposition Front, and emerged as the largest party in the Assembly. The 1940 constitution was heavily influenced by the nationalist and socialist ideas that was at the heart of the party's program.

Although the party also won the most seats in the House of Representatives following the 1940 general elections, their candidate Ramón Grau, lost the presidential elections. In the mid-term elections in 1942 they finished third, winning only 10 seats.^[2] Howver, Grau went on to win the 1944 elections, which saw the party win the most seats in the House election. They were also victorious in the 1946 mid-term elections, winning 30 of the 66 seats.

For the 1948 elections the party formed an alliance with the Republican Party, helping Carlos Prío Socarrás win the presidential election, also winning both the House and Senate elections. A different alliance with the Democratic Party and the Liberal Party was formed for the 1950 mid-term elections, which was again victorious. However, they lost the 1954 elections to Fulgencio Batista's National Progressive Coalition.

Ideology

The Partido Auténtico was the most nationalistic of the major parties that existed between the 1933 and 1959 revolutions. It had as its theme "Cuba para los cubanos" (Cuba for Cubans).

The Partido Auténtico's electoral program contained socialist and corporatist elements. For instance, while in power, the Auténticos supported numerous efforts to strengthen the power of the labor unions, which were some of the party's biggest supporters. Moreover, some of its members supported the management of the economy through tripartite commissions consisting of businessmen, labor leaders and government bureaucrats as well as a second chamber (River Plate) that was composed of labor and business interest groups.

Notable members

The two most prominent members of the party, Ramón Grau San Martín and Carlos Prío Socarrás, each held the role of President of Cuba. Grau was president twice, between 1933-34 and 1944-48, followed by the presidency of Prío 1948-52. Prío was also Prime Minister of Cuba in Grau's government from 1945-47. Manuel Antonio de Varona was also Prime Minister of Cuba during the first two years of Prío's presidency (1948-50) and later served as President of the Senate and President of the Partido Auténtico. In exile after 1959, Varona and Prío were co-founders of the Organización Auténtica, which sought the overthrow of the communist government in Cuba.

References

1. ^ Suchlicki, Jaime Cuba: from Columbus and Castro and Beyond
2. ^ Nohlen, D (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p211 ISBN 9780199283576

• Azcuy Y Cruz, A (1950) En Defensa Del Autenticismo La Habana, P Fernandez Y Cia
• Ameringer, CD (2000) The Cuban Democratic Experience: The Autentico Years 1944-1952 University Press of Florida ISBN 978-0813026671

External links

Cuba portal

• Party website